What Does a Network Administrator Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a network administrator do?

Network and computer systems administrators install, configure, maintain and secure an organization’s networks, servers and cloud systems: keeping users connected and data protected. The median pay is $99,130 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–4 years, and employment is projected to grow -4.1% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$99,130
$47.66/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-4.1%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
13,400
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
1–4 years
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
323,600
Employment, 2025

What network administrators do

Network administrators keep the digital plumbing working. They configure routers, switches, firewalls and wireless networks; manage servers and cloud resources; monitor performance; apply updates and patches; manage backups; and troubleshoot outages.

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but many administrators rise from help desk roles with certifications such as CompTIA Network+ and Cisco’s CCNA. As more infrastructure moves to the cloud, administrators with cloud and automation skills are in particular demand.

Typical duties

Install and configure network hardware and software
Manage switches, routers, firewalls and wireless access points
Monitor network performance and security
Administer servers, user accounts and cloud services
Apply updates, patches and configuration changes
Manage backups and disaster recovery
Troubleshoot outages and document the network

Work environment and schedule

Network administrators work in offices, data centers and remotely for businesses, schools, hospitals, government and managed service providers. Some work requires lifting equipment or working in server rooms.

Schedule: Usually full-time. Maintenance is often scheduled after hours, and on-call rotations for outages are common.

A day in the life

8:00 AMReview monitoring dashboards: one branch office link is showing packet loss.
9:00 AMTroubleshoot with ping and traceroute and open a ticket with the ISP.
10:30 AMConfigure a new VLAN for security cameras and update firewall rules.
1:00 PMPatch servers during the approved maintenance window.

See a full day in the life of a network administrator →

Network Administrator salary

Half of network administrators earned more than $99,130 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $62,640 for the lowest 10% to $155,050 for the top 10%.

$62,64010th$99,130Median$155,05090th

Full network administrator pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a network administrator

Learn IT fundamentals
Start in IT support
Earn Network+ and CCNA
Build a lab
Advance

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology or a related field as typical. Many administrators instead combine an associate degree or IT experience with certifications such as Network+ and CCNA.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a network administrator →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Routing and switching
TCP/IP and subnetting
Firewalls and VPNs
Windows and Linux server administration
Cloud services

People skills

Methodical troubleshooting
Documentation
Calm under pressure
Communication with users and vendors

All network administrator skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

High pay: median close to six figures
Critical, respected role
Strong certification path (Network+, CCNA)
Path to cloud, security and architecture roles

Cons

After-hours maintenance and on-call duty
Pressure during outages
BLS projects a slight decline as cloud services grow
Constant learning

Certifications and licenses

CompTIA Network+: Vendor-neutral networking fundamentals.
Cisco CCNA: A widely respected networking certification.
Microsoft Azure Administrator: Cloud administration certification.
CompTIA Security+: Security fundamentals often required for government roles.

Career path

Help Desk or Junior Admin: Support users and basic systems.
Network or Systems Administrator: Manage networks and servers.
Network or Cloud Engineer: Design and automate infrastructure.
Infrastructure Architect or IT Director: Lead strategy and teams.

Learn the job before day one

Our Network Administrator training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as subnet a /24 network into four subnets and troubleshoot connectivity with ping and traceroute, safety and how to land your first job.

View Network Administrator training Is this career right for me?

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Compare: Network Administrator vs. IT Support Specialist · Network Administrator vs. Cybersecurity Analyst · Network Administrator vs. Web Developer · Network Administrator vs. Electrician

Network Administrator FAQ

Is a CCNA worth it?

Yes for many people: it’s widely recognized and covers core networking skills employers want.

Do network administrators need a degree?

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but many administrators combine experience and certifications instead.

Will cloud computing eliminate network admin jobs?

Cloud shifts the work rather than eliminating it. Admins with cloud, automation and security skills remain in demand, though BLS projects a slight overall decline.

How much does a network administrator make?

The median annual wage for network administrators was $99,130 ($47.66 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $62,640 and the highest 10% earned more than $155,050.

How long does it take to become a network administrator?

Most people need about 1–4 years of training. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology or a related field as typical. Many administrators instead combine an associate degree or IT experience with certifications such as Network+ and CCNA.

Do you need a degree to be a network administrator?

Often, but not always. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but many network administrators move up from help desk roles with certifications such as CompTIA Network+ and Cisco CCNA.

More network administrator questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 15-1244 (Network and computer systems administrators).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Network and computer systems administrators (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Network Administrator